Motorcycle Misadventures

Tonight! A talk with RoadRUNNER motorcycle travel magazine publisher Christa Neuhauser

Tonight on SideStand Up I'll be talking with Christa Neuhauser, the publisher of RoadRUNNER Magazine. Join us live on the air and in the lively chat room.

Christa has been a motorcycle enthusiast since her early days. Motorcycling is not only her passion but also her profession. Relocating from Austria in 1999, she and her husband Christian founded the magazine, the perfect platform to share their love for riding and traveling with the motorcycling world at large. After the fatal sidecar accident involving Christian in 2005 she continued to build upon their vision, supported by her two sons and a dedicated team by her side.

Christa and I will be on in the middle of the show at about 8:00 EST in the program that runs from 7:00 to 9:00 EST. Don't miss the other great guests and news on  tonight's live show hosted by Tom Lowdermilk:

• Sam Kloberdanz from Grand Junction BMW / Harley Davidson / KTM is back to get us up to date on what's happening at Colorado's western most full service dealer that's now open Sundays!
• Director of Advertising for the BMW MOA Ted Moyer returns from the national Rally in Redmond OR and will be letting us know what transpired and what we missed. Ted my even have news where next years rally will be held.
• Tom will be heading for the BMW Riders of Western Colorado's Color Weekend, the 8th annual Thunder in the Mountain Rendezvous in September. The plan is to do a live broadcast from the rally.
• Rallymaster Terry Toner will be making his first stop in to let us in on what will take place that weekend during the prime time for the Great Aspen to be turning in the spectacular glory.
• Jonah Street is off for another off Road Endurance Race, this time to Mongolia to take part in the FA-coat Rally Mongolia 2010. This international cross country rally has been around for 15 years. Jonah and fellow countryman Mike Shirley of Reno Nevada will be the first American entrants in the rally's history. Listen in to hear from Jonah how he has prepared and what machine he will be riding for the event.
• Keep and eye on on www.sidestandup.com for whats new and sponsor discounts.

Join us live on the air and in the lively chat room.

All San Francisco Side Stand Up Podcast

Tonight, Side Stand Up gathered at BMW Motorcycle in San Francisco to do a live podcast with a great lineup. We missed Tom Lowdermilk, who was stuck south of Fresno on a wild ride I'm sure we'll hear about next week. So Joanne Donn (GearChic) and I did our best. Thanks to Joanne's husband Evan, the AV guy, for sound help despite the lack of the right equipment. We will put him on the advisory board further in advance for next time. Catch the archives at http://sidestandup.com/ - we know you'll love hearing from these great guests about their specialties, motorcycle culture in San Francisco, and the Bay Area's best roads. Tune in to Episode 120, November 17, 2009.

Jennifer Bromme, owner and head mechanic of Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair in San Francisco tells the story of starting Werkstatt, what's it like to be owner of the most popular motorcycle repair shop in SF, her antique bikes/pet projects, and her wild travels and racing activities. Jennifer  was trained in Munich, Germany on street and race bikes, and founded Werkstatt in 1994. She raced sidecars and motorcycles for 4 years, and supports AFM and AMA races as a technical and crew chief. She loves to take crazy trips to explore Mexico. Her shop works on Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph, and BMW motorcycles, and was Baylist's best motorcycle repair shop in the Bay Area. 

Gabe Ets-Hokin, Motorcycle reviewer, editor of CityBike Magazine in San Francisco, reveals the truth about the glamorous life of a professional motorcycle reviewer, plus talks about his new role editing CityBike magazine. Ets-Hokin [rhymes with "Get Smokin'] has written for most of the top motorcycle magazines and websites and has had a ride on almost every new bike introduced in the last five years. His stories appear in City Bike magazine (which he edits), MotorcycleDaily.com and many other outlets.

Crystal Gurr, Co-owner of Scuderia West Motorcycle Dealership and Repair in San Francisco talks about how to attract women to your motorcycle shop, staffing your shop with knowledgeable people who know how to fit gear. Crystal  is co-owner of Scuderia West, San Francisco's #1 motorcycle dealership. They sell and service KTM, Aprilia, Victory, and Kymco scooters. They are also arguably the best place to buy gear anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Garmin Zumo 660, or TomTom GO 740 LIVE, or Mio C523 V2?

I've been researching motorcycle GPS units that'll help me navigate Europe and Morocco. The Garmin Zumo and TomTom seem to be the thing here in the USA, but for Europe, the Mio is popular, too. And if you visit Japan you can watch TV on the Mio. Tempting or no? But I digress.

But for Europe and Morocco do I get Garmin's zūmo 660  or the TomTom GO 740 LIVE, or Mio's C523 V2? They're all pretty expensive, and map downloads are even more expensive. Anyone know of a GPS rental that'll provide one in Europe, with maps for Morocco, too? Seems like a good business to go into, though rental car companies provide them, it would be handy for random travelers like me.

Oh, maybe I'll just use my iPhone...

The Garmin, TomTom, and Mio are pictured below.

Motorcycle Travel with a Laptop

I've traveled with laptops for many years, and I crashed with a laptop in my saddlebags some years ago (on the side of the bike of course that had the laptop in it). It was carried in one of the flimsy aluminum hard cases which were already installed on the Enfield Bullet when I picked it up in Madras. It was okay because I had it packed it in a padded laptop case, then made sure it was cushioned by my clothes. (I was okay, except for my knee.) Photo at right: MacTruck laptop case.

On a trip across the USA my Ural broke down (for the umteenth time) and I called a flatbed tow truck. The driver put the truck bed down right on top of my suitcase, laptop and camera. I had let him help me drag stuff out of the bike and my hotel room and he put it in the way of his operating mechanism. Duh. But it was also my fault for not keeping track of my own stuff. IMPORTANT NOTE: My State Farm agent got it covered under my renters insurance, reimbursed me, and collected from the towing company.  (Check to see that your renters or homeowners insurance covers damage to equipment while your travel.) In my opinion it's this kind of stuff you have to watch out for most when carrying a laptop around. That is, making sure you always know where it is and don't let anybody "help" you with it.

I've heard that Pelican cases are good, but I'm going with one of two options from RadTech.com for my upcoming trip in Morocco:  MacTruck is the super-hard-core option for a Mac (not sure if it will do for a Windows machine). It's an "ultra-rugged, work-in enclosure that provides suspension and lots of cushioning and supposedly can get run over or thrown off a tall building without damage to your computer. The other one is called Otterbox, which is a heavy-duty waterproof bag with nice, work-in design, also with shock-absorbing suspension. They also have rugged iPhone case.

If you don't go with an option like this I'd recommend at least a neoprene glove for your laptop, a good, padded case or backpack made for laptops, and taking care every day to cushion it properly in your bags. And of course lock it up.

Which brings me to this: I never travel without my Targus Defcon 1 Ultra Cable Lock and Motion Alarm. It combines a stainless steel cable with motion sensor and a 95-decibel alarm and easily attaches to your notebook or carrying case or anything else. When you're not on the bike you can attach it to the security key in your laptop and loop the retractable cable around a table leg, a luggage cart...anywhere. I use it to secure my laptop, then loop it around the strap of my digital camera, my luggage, backpack, whatever. It just provides that extra security and peace of mind when you're in a strange place.

I like this device in particular because I can also set the motion sensor and place in in my tank bag so anybody messing around with it will get bleeped - and I (and others) will hear it - it's pretty piercingly loud. I've looped it around my hotel room door handle and attached it to the zipper of my tent, too. It costs about $30 on amazon.com.

Get up to 35% off at Riders Discount Motorcycle Gear

Riders Discount has  offered my readers up to 35% off on their products. Great marketing ploy, no? I think so, and I think you will, too.

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To be clear, you can get "up to" 35% off, depending on the product. Let me know how it goes, would you?

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Everybody's talking about: remote-control zipper sliders for your Aerostitch

In the "What will they come up with next?" category, I've been hearing about the remote control zipper sliders available from Aerostich/Riders Warehouse, that can be installed on your suit. (Though I can't find it in their online catalog.) It apparently includes a remote receiver, a stepper-motor, and a tiny titanium planetary gear set and toothed cog that engages the zipper's teeth to pull the slider rapidly in either direction. The sliders are controlled by a three button remote. They're powered by a common replaceable hearing aid battery good for about two hundred 12" zips. The remote includes both wrist and handlebar mounts. The price per slider, installed, is $177, and the remote -- which will control up to four sliders independently -- is another $47. A high price for convenience, but the latest must-have item for the gadget fanatic.

Setting Up Your Motorcycle Repair Garage

Women Riders Now has a great step-by-step article for newbies who want to set up their motorcycling garage, with buying resources. Read the article.

If you think you can't do it and need some inspiration then just check out Bluepoof's "wrenching" blog. She repairs and modifies her own bike and, though she doesn't always know what she's doing at the beginning of the process, she works through it. I'm so glad she documents the process (on her new lift, pictured right). Read the blog.

It's almost springtime. Time to tune up your bike!

Long Dual-Sport Ride: What I packed; what worked; what didn't...

 I love reading other bikers' packing lists. Here's on for a long dual-sport ride in Mexico, posted on the Adventure Rider site: Long D/S Ride: What I took, What worked, What didn't.

And here's a DVD on dual-sport riding techniques, posted, perhaps developed by the same author?

Here's my list of personal items and gear for a sport touring ride around the Adriatic Sea, some of it camping.

Here's the poster's loaded bike: (Oh, don't forget to get loaded properly! Here's how.)

Serious Motorcycle Touring Luggage: RevPack's Excursion Pack

 Pack the kitchen sink! Here's some serious soft luggage for long motorcycle trips. RevPack Motorcycle Soft Luggage: Excursion Pack. It's based on RevPack's Tour Pack, with the same dimensions of 26" across, 12" thick and 16" high, including the legs. This pack however, has the zipper running all the way from the base of one side, up and over, then down to the base of the other side, with four sliders to position for desired access at any point. The ends fully separate for easy access to the doglegs, which hold the ditty bags that are included. It comes with a weather cover housed in an external slot pocket until needed. There are two external pockets on the front to accommodate 1/2 gal. water or fuel bottles. In addition to all this, it offers a versatile pack, which snuggles in the crotch when the whole affair is not on the bike or attaches on top when it is. Reflective stripes to the rear, adjustable shoulder strap, and a pair of adjustable tie down straps with snap hooks.

Backpacker Magazine - Oregon Scientific ATC3K Camcorder

Attach it to your helmet and go. Lightweight and durable, the low cost Oregon Scientific ATC3K camcorder is practically outdoor-proof according to the testers at Backpacker Magazine. The camera is "a light, rugged, low-priced, attach-it-anywhere camera made more for adventure-sports junkies than serious videographers. It has no bells and whistles, not even an LCD screen, and shoots at 640x480 resolution–perfect for YouTube, not the Banff Mountain Film Festival." $150; 5.5 oz. Read the review.